Hair Secrets from around the World - 9

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Safflower is a beautiful plant with either yellow, orange or red flowers. Its native to arid environment and grows a deep taproot which enables it to thrive in environments with low water supplies. Today's top exporters of this plant are North America and Mexico, however it is one of the oldest crops recorded in history. Chemical analysis of ancient Egyptian textiles dated to the Twelfth dynasty identified that yellow and red dyes were made from the flowers themselves. Deep inside The Tomb of the Tutankhamen, archeologists also found garlands made from this beautiful flower.

The Ancient Egyptians loved to indulge in beauty treatments, and Cleopatra herself was credited with writing a book of beauty secrets including mud baths from the Dead Sea and cosmetic oils made from safflower seeds. What's interesting in Ancient Egypt is that men also used cosmetics and essential oils much like today's metrosexuals . I would imagine this was necessary for both genders in such an arid climate. There is evidence that suggests Safflower oil was used to stimulate hair-growth and eliminate bald-spots.The oil dilates blood vessels in the scalp, which stimulates circulation of nutrients to the roots. The oil is packed with vitamin E and essential fatty acid's similar to sebum which we produce naturally. Safflower oil was not only used by men of that time, the women also benefited from the nourishing oil, which protected and moisturized their hair.

It is extremely beneficial for natural as well as dry chemically treated hair. If you want to use it as a treatment for the hair apply a generous amount to dry hair and cover in a hot wet towel, for 5-10 minutes. After this shampoo and condition as normal. You can also use a few drops to help smooth out frizzy hair.